Authorities have launched a fraud investigation at Desert Hot Springs High School after an auditing firm discovered "possible embezzlement of a school fund."

The alleged theft, which police say apparently involved a district employee, was initially detailed in a report by the Rancho Cucamonga office of the accounting firm Vavrinek, Trine, Day and Company.

During a presentation at the Palm Springs Unified School District's meeting on February 13, a representative from the firm said the embezzlement occurred through the manipulation of documents.

The district released a statement on Wednesday regarding the investigation.

“PSUSD officials have confirmed that the Desert Hot Springs Police Department is actively investigating possible embezzlement of a school fund at Desert Hot Springs High School,” district spokesperson Joan Boiko wrote in a statement. “The District could not provide any additional information at this time due to this being an active investigation. More information will be provided once the investigation is complete and a decision is made on what, if any, charges may be filed by the District Attorney’s office.”

Dale Mondary, the chief of police for Desert Hot Springs, was not able to provide additional details but he said that embezzlement would "clearly imply that it was a district employee." He plans to meet with school officials tomorrow or early next week to review the case records.

Vavrinek, Trine, Day and Company did not respond to requests for comment.